How to Get Your Wedding Submissions Accepted: Stand Out & Get Published
Wedding blogs and magazines receive hundreds of submissions every month, and competition is fierce. While stunning images are essential, they alone won't guarantee publication. Editors are looking for compelling stories, unique details, and well-organized submissions that align with their audience.
Whether you're a photographer, planner, florist, stationer, or any other wedding professional, getting featured can help you attract dream clients, build credibility, and strengthen your industry connections. But to make it happen, you need to understand what editors look for, how to structure your submission, and how to avoid common mistakes.
This guide will walk you through how to craft a submission that stands out, increases your chances of being accepted, and builds long-term relationships with editors who will want to feature your work again and again.
Choose the Right Publication for Your Submission
One of the biggest mistakes vendors make is submitting to the wrong publication. Just because a wedding is gorgeous doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for every blog or magazine. Each publication has a specific style, audience, and editorial focus, and sending a wedding that doesn’t align with their brand is a fast track to rejection.
Before submitting, take the time to research where your work belongs. Look at past features on the publication’s website and social media to see what kinds of weddings they highlight. Do they favor traditional, classic weddings or unconventional, edgy ones? Do they focus on luxury events, DIY celebrations, or intimate elopements?
Some blogs also prioritize real weddings over styled shoots or require that the wedding be exclusive - meaning it hasn’t been featured elsewhere. Ignoring these factors can waste both your time and the editor’s.
If you’re unsure, consider pitching a publication before submitting. Some editors are open to discussing whether your wedding is a good fit before you go through the full submission process.
The better the match, the higher your chances of acceptance.
Follow Submission Guidelines (Exactly)
Every wedding publication has submission guidelines, and failing to follow them is one of the quickest ways to get rejected. Editors have limited time, and they’re not going to chase you down for missing details or improperly formatted images.
Most blogs request 50-100 high-quality images that tell a complete story of the day. Some prefer a mix of color and black-and-white shots, while others want only full-color galleries. Some require exclusive content, while others accept weddings that have been published elsewhere.
They may also have specific requirements for image file names, sizes, and formats. Sending low-resolution, watermarked, or incorrectly sized images can lead to an automatic rejection.
Another common mistake? Forgetting to credit all vendors involved in the wedding. Most blogs require full vendor lists, including the planner, florist, photographer, venue, dress designer, stationery creator, and more. If a vendor is missing, your submission may be put on hold - or worse, declined.
Attention to detail in your submission makes you look professional and increases your chances of being published.
Craft a Compelling Love Story
While beautiful photos are essential, a wedding feature isn’t just about the visuals - it’s about the story behind the day. Editors want to showcase weddings that feel personal, meaningful, and unique, not just another pretty celebration.
A strong wedding write-up should go beyond listing details. Instead of saying, "Emma and Jules had a gorgeous barn wedding with stunning florals," tell the story:
"Emma and Jules first met in a coffee shop where they both ordered the same obscure drink. Their love for cozy cafés inspired their wedding theme, with vintage coffee cups as table centerpieces, a signature espresso martini cocktail, and a dessert bar featuring the pastries they shared on their first date. Their ceremony took place in a restored barn, filled with warm candlelight and handwritten love letters at each guest's seat."
This paints a picture and makes the wedding feel authentic, emotional, and memorable.
Editors also love to highlight unique elements - cultural traditions, unexpected moments, DIY details, or heartfelt personal touches. The more personality and originality in your submission, the better.
Select the Right Images for Your Submission
Your image selection is just as important as the story. Editors want a well-balanced gallery that tells a complete wedding day story - not just posed portraits of the couple.
A strong submission should include:
Getting Ready Moments – Emotional exchanges, details of attire, behind-the-scenes moments
Ceremony Highlights – First looks, vows, ring exchange, reactions from guests
Reception Details – Tablescapes, florals, signage, lighting, décor
Emotional Moments – Laughing, crying, dancing, candid guest interactions
Unique Elements – Anything that made this wedding special—cultural details, surprise performances, personal DIY touches
Avoid submitting too many similar shots. If you have five images of the couple in the same pose, choose the strongest one. Editors appreciate variety, so be intentional with your selections.
The goal is to provide a visually compelling, well-rounded gallery that editors can easily turn into a feature.
Build Long-Term Relationships with Editors
Getting published once is great - but establishing a strong relationship with editors can lead to repeat features and ongoing opportunities.
A few ways to build trust with editors:
Follow up politely if you don’t hear back within the expected timeframe.
Share the feature on your social media, website, and Pinterest when your work is published.
Engage with the publication’s content - comment on their posts, tag them in relevant work, and stay connected.
Keep submitting great work - the more consistently you provide high-quality features, the more editors will recognize and trust your brand.
The vendors who get published most often aren’t just talented - they’re easy to work with, reliable, and professional.
Submitting weddings isn’t just about exposure - it’s about marketing your work, attracting dream clients, and strengthening your reputation.
When you take the time to research the right publications, follow submission guidelines, craft compelling stories, and provide high-quality images, your chances of getting published increase dramatically.
Getting featured isn’t about luck - it’s about strategy.
